A group of skiers saw a natural avalanche on an east, facing slope off of Naya Nuki Mountain in the Bridger range. It likely avalanche early in the morning on April 2.
From IG: A group of riders reported seeing three new natural avalanches on April 1.
Large natural on the E facing head wall above ainger lake. One smaller crown above the large main crown, broke on a deep layer. Debris ran past the lake.
My ski partner and I toured into Frazier Basin on Saturday, April 1st. We observed obvious signs of wind loading as we made our way up from Fairy Lake to the Frazier ridge. We found a crust layer a few centimeters thick that was widespread throughout the basin. The crust was not shooting cracks as we moved but hand pits showed that it was cohesive and easily breaking on the soft snow below. My ski Partner popped off a small wind slab that had enough energy to knock him off his feet. This was the only slab we found that moved after skiing three lines on different aspects. The wind slab that broke was just below a ridge in a bowl feature that probably experienced more wind loading than most other areas in the basin. We also observed an old avalanche at the end of the basin possibly from a cornice fall that ran the whole length of the slope down to the trees in the center of Frazier Basin. Overall it was not feeling like a spring snowpack and you should continue to be skeptical of multiple layers in the Bridgers.
"Toured into Frazier Basin today [4/1/23] and noted a few instabilities.... Second, we saw a large natural avalanche above Ainger lake (E-SE facing) that ran from near the top of the ridge itself to propelling debris up, over, and past the lake. The crown ranged from 2-5ft high spanning 400-500ft across the face."
"Saw this crown from a distance today [4/1/23]. Possibly natural R3-D3 on ESE aspect, likely caused by wind loading. Unsure when it occurred, but crown looked large and debris ran into the flats mowing down some small flag trees."
From 4/1/23: "...we saw a large natural avalanche above Ainger lake (E-SE facing) that ran from near the top of the ridge itself to propelling debris up, over, and past the lake. The crown ranged from 2-5ft high spanning 400-500ft across the face." Photo: G. Westling
From 4/1/23: "...we saw a large natural avalanche above Ainger lake (E-SE facing) that ran from near the top of the ridge itself to propelling debris up, over, and past the lake. The crown ranged from 2-5ft high spanning 400-500ft across the face." Photo: G. Westling
From 4/1/23: "Saw this crown from a distance today. Possibly natural R3-D3 on ESE aspect, likely caused by wind loading. Unsure when it occurred, but crown looked large and debris ran into the flats mowing down some small flag trees. "
ECTP 22 & ECTP 27, down 50 and PST 75/100 end, down 50 & 80 at 7800 ft on E aspects on the ramp above Bradley Meadows
PST 45/100 end, down 180 on E aspects at 7700 ft on E/NE aspects at N end of the top of Bradley Meadows
Toured into Frazier Basin today and noted a few instabilities. First, on our approach, we experienced a loud "whumph" around 7000' on an East facing slope. Second, we saw a large natural avalanche above Ainger lake (E-SE facing) that ran from near the top of the ridge itself to propelling debris up, over, and past the lake. The crown ranged from 2-5ft high spanning 400-500ft across the face. Lastly, the wind was whipping and transporting lots of snow. As we gained a North-East facing ridge around 8500' a couple of pole/hand pits reviled a 4" pencil hard wind crust. Spring is in the air but it is still very much winter out here.
